PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCES
2022 ACI Fall Conference
“Coming Together Again”
Nov. 11, 2022
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Microsoft Technology Center
200 E. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60601
This all-day, in-person conference is free for all staff at ACI-member institutions, featuring sessions in four unique tracks: advancement, finance, public relations and marketing, and student engagement. Attendees may create their itineraries by selecting a session that interests them the most per hour.
The day will begin with check-in and a complimentary continental breakfast, followed by a welcome and keynote address. After the morning sessions, a complimentary lunch will be served before afternoon sessions begin.
Questions? Please contact Daisy Gomez, ACI director, events and scholarships at dgomez@acifund.org or 312-263-2391, ext. 0.
Conference Co-Sponsors
9:15 a.m.
Welcome:
April Arnold, Associated Colleges of Illinois
Keynote: Generosity Crisis
Nathan Chappell, DonorSearch
Advancement Track
10 a.m. Crowdfunding +: Adding Social Elements to Your Digital Giving Campaigns to Improve Donor Retention
Presenter: Louis Diez, Almabase
10 a.m. Becoming More Alumni-Centric
Presenter: Emily Taylor, teenyBIG
11:15 a.m. Conquer the Generosity Crisis through Radical Connection
Presenter: Nathan Chappell, DonorSearch
1:45 p.m. Democratizing Prospect Development Using Artificial Intelligence
Presenters: Bill TeDesco, DonorSearch
Nathan Chappell, DonorSearch
3 p.m. How Are We Doing on a Scale from Good to Great? The Science of Surveys in University Advancement
Presenter: Jon Kingzette, Campbell & Company
Public Relations and Marketing Track
10 a.m. Student Engagement Through Marketing Communications
Presenter: Janet Viane, Red Caffeine
11:15 a.m. The OG Influencer: Making the Most of Traditional Media
Presenter: Desiree Chen, Elmhurst University
1:45 p.m. Reaching Prospective Students and Parents Concerned about Higher Ed’s Value
Presenter: Wade Eyerly, Degree Insurance
3 p.m. Managing the Biggest Issues Facing Higher Education Today
Presenters: Shannon Pesek, APCO Worldwide
Pete Wentz, APCO Worldwide
Finance Track
10 a.m. Expense Reduction in Inflationary Times
Presenters: Eric Flasck, Expense Reduction Analysts
Marty Leiter, Expense Reduction Analysts
Paul Zaleski, Expense Reduction Analysts
10 a.m. Post-Pandemic Insights: Trends and Recommendations for Tomorrow
Presenters: Nichole Johnson, Gallagher
Anthony Di Stefano, Gallagher
11:15 a.m. The Partnership Proposition: Dining Services at the Heart of Campus
Presenters: Nick Saccaro, Quest Food Management Services, LLC
Kris Kotte, Quest Food Management Services, LLC
11:15 a.m. Supporting Our Students: Illinois Sees Historic Increases in Need-Based Aid
Presenter: Eric Zarnikow, Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)
1:45 p.m. Top Cybersecurity Pitfalls for Colleges and Universities
Presenter: Kevin Bong, Sikich LLP
1:45 p.m. Best Practices for Attracting and Retaining Higher Education Employees
Presenters: Dan A. Kaufman, Michael Best
Kurt A. Meyer, Michael Best Consulting
3 p.m. Surviving the Demographic Tsunami: How Agile Midwest Colleges Can Survive and Thrive
Presenter: Jim Applegate, Illinois State University Center for the Study of Education Policy
Student Engagement Track
10 a.m. Supporting Critical Student Well-Being Needs Virtually
Presenter: Emily Pettit, The Virtual Care Group
11:15 a.m. Prepping Post-Pandemic Students for DEI, Campus Culture and Workforce Competitiveness
Presenter: Leah Wallace, Citi (Retired)
1:45 p.m. Engaging First-Gen Students: Redefining What ‘Care’ Means Post-Pandemic
Presenter: Emmanuel López, Governors State University
1:45 p.m. Understanding Food Insecurity on College Campuses
Presenter: Jennifer Lamplough, Northern Illinois Food Bank
3 p.m. Black Dollars Matter … A Conversation about African American Alumni Engagement in Philanthropy
Presenter: Dr. PJ Thompson, Saint Xavier University